Gaiter attachment of a shoe

ABSTRACT

A shoe includes a sole, an upper connected to the sole, a foot cavity defined in part by an inside surface of the upper, a top gaiter receiving member positioned on a forefoot portion of the upper, a heel gaiter receiving member positioned on a heel portion of the upper, a lateral gaiter receiving member positioned on a lateral side portion of the upper, and a medial gaiter receiving member positioned on a medial side portion of the upper.

BACKGROUND

Running shoes can be constructed for multiple types of running environments and types of running. Often, road running shoes are constructed for running on pavement and other surfaces that are generally flat. These types of running shoes tend to be light weight and flexible. Additionally, they include insulation to cushion or stabilize feet during repetitive strides on hard, even surfaces.

Trail-running shoes are often constructed for off-road routes that are rugged and include other obstacles such as puddles, mud, rocks, roots, and so forth. These shoes include aggressive treads for improved traction and are fortified to add stability and support. Generally, the outsole of the shoe extends substantially beyond the edges of the shoe's upper to provide the additional stability.

Cross-training shoes are constructed for workouts that include both aerobic and anaerobic types of activities. The soles of these shoes often have more contact with the ground to provide stability.

The shoe's upper construction also varies by the type of shoe. In some cases, the upper includes a synthetic leather that is durable and abrasion-resistant. In other situations, the upper includes a nylon and/or nylon mesh that is durable and used to reduce weight and boost breathability. Another type of upper include a thermoplastic urethane overlay that is positioned over breathable panels of the shoe, such as panels in the arch and the heel. Also, conventional waterproof/breathable uppers use a membrane bonded to the interior of the upper's linings. This membrane blocks moisture from entering the shoe while allowing feet to breathe. Shoes with these membranes keep feet dry in wet environments with a trade-off in breathability.

Regardless of the material used to construct the upper, rocks, mud, and other debris may still enter the shoe through gaps between the collar and a user's ankle/leg. Even when the collar is properly fitted and secure against the user's ankle/leg, rocks, mud, and other debris may work their way down into the shoe via the user's natural running motion. A gaiter may be employed in an attempt to solve this problem. Typically, a gaiter is a waterproof garment and/or a breathable garment that covers at least part of the upper of a shoe, especially the collar, and part of the lower leg. By covering the opening of the shoe and any gaps between the collar and user, debris is prevented from entering the shoe.

Prior art gaiters are typically releasably secured to the shoe at a first point on the forefoot, generally involving a hook which attaches to the shoe laces. Many other means of secondary securement exist in the art, but these solutions are either bulky, complicated, or inadequately secure the gaiter, allowing debris to work its way under the relatively unsecured portions of the gaiter and into the shoe. For example, some prior art gaiters may have a loop which wraps under and around the sole of the shoe. This loop may cover the tread of the shoe and inhibit traction, become caked in mud or dirt, and prove difficult to remove. Other prior art gaiters may have only a single point of attachment to the shoe and may have an elastic band to keep the rest of the gaiter in place. This elastic band may be prone to slippage and may rise above the collar, allowing debris to enter the shoe. Accordingly, a need exists for a lightweight, easily attachable gaiter which prevents debris from entering a shoe and does not interfere with traction.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a shoe includes a midsole, an upper connected to the midsole, the upper including a forefoot portion connected to a forefoot portion of the sole, a heel portion connected to a heel portion of the sole, a lateral side portion connected to the forefoot portion of the upper, the heel portion of the upper, and a lateral side portion of the sole, and a medial side portion connected to the forefoot portion of the upper, the heel portion of the upper, and a medial side portion of the sole. The shoe also includes a foot cavity defined at least in part by an inside surface of the upper, a top gaiter receiving member positioned on the forefoot portion of the upper, a heel gaiter receiving member positioned on the heel portion of the upper, a lateral gaiter receiving member positioned on the lateral side portion of the upper, and a medial gaiter receiving member positioned on the medial side portion of the upper.

The top gaiter receiving member may include a loop and a portion of flexible material disposed through the loop having a first end and a second end connected to the upper attachable to the loop to the upper.

The top gaiter receiving member may be centrally positioned on the forefoot portion of the upper adjacent to a tongue of the shoe.

The heel gaiter receiving member may include a portion of flexible material connected to the upper, wherein an inside surface of the flexible material and the upper collectively form an opening.

The heel gaiter receiving member may be positioned on the heel portion of the upper between the sole and a top edge of the heel portion of the upper.

The lateral gaiter receiving member includes a portion of flexible material connected to the upper, wherein an inside surface of the flexible material and the upper collectively form an opening.

The lateral gaiter receiving member may be positioned on the lateral side portion of the upper substantially adjacent to the heel portion of the upper.

The medial gaiter receiving member may include a portion of flexible material connected to the upper or midsole, wherein an inside surface of the flexible material and the upper collectively form an opening.

The medial gaiter receiving member may be positioned on the medial side portion of the upper substantially adjacent to the heel portion of the upper or midsole.

In one embodiment, a shoe gaiter system may include the shoe described above, and a gaiter including a tube of flexible material having a top end opening and a bottom end opening, wherein the top end opening is sized to receive a lower leg of a user and wherein the bottom end opening is larger than the top end opening and is sized to cover at least a portion of the upper of the shoe, and four attachment components positioned at the bottom end opening, each of the four attachment components including a hook to releasably engage with one of the top gaiter receiving member, heel gaiter receiving member, lateral gaiter receiving member, and medial gaiter receiving member of the shoe when the gaiter is secured around a leg of a user and the attachment components are aligned with the receiving members of the shoe.

The tube of flexible material comprising the gaiter may be a sheet of flexible material having a first edge and a second edge connected to the first edge along the length thereof to define the tube.

Each of the four attachment components of the gaiter may not be connected to each of the other attachment components except via the flexible material of the gaiter and the shoe.

The flexible material may be a waterproof fabric.

The flexible material may be air permeable.

In one embodiment, a shoe gaiter system may include a shoe including a sole, an upper connected to the sole including a forefoot portion connected to a forefoot portion of the sole, a heel portion connected to a heel portion of the sole, a lateral side portion connected to the forefoot portion of the upper, the heel portion of the upper, and a lateral side portion of the sole, and a medial side portion connected to the forefoot portion of the upper, the heel portion of the upper, and a medial side portion of the sole. The shoe may further include a foot cavity defined at least in part by an interior surface of the upper, a top gaiter receiving member connected to the forefoot portion of the upper, a heel gaiter receiving member connected to the heel portion of the upper, a lateral gaiter receiving member connected to the lateral side portion of the upper, a medial gaiter receiving member connected to the medial side portion of the upper. The shoe gaiter system may further include a gaiter, including a portion of flexible material defining a first, top end opening and a second, bottom end opening, wherein the bottom end opening has a diameter larger than a diameter of the top end opening, an elastic material surrounding the top end opening and to secure the top end opening around a leg of a user, a flap that extends outwardly from the flexible material at the bottom end opening, a front attachment component positioned on the flap to releasably engaged the top gaiter receiving member when the gaiter is secured around the leg of the user and the front attachment component is aligned with the top gaiter receiving member, a rear attachment component positioned adjacent to the bottom end opening opposite the flap to releasably engage the heel gaiter receiving member when the gaiter is secured around the leg of the user and the rear attachment component is aligned with the heel gaiter receiving member, a lateral attachment component positioned adjacent to the bottom end opening between the flap and the rear attachment component to releasably engage the lateral gaiter receiving member when the gaiter is secured around the leg of a user and the lateral attachment component is aligned with the lateral gaiter receiving member, and a medial attachment member positioned adjacent to the bottom end opening between the flap and the rear attachment member to releasably engage the medial gaiter receiving member when the gaiter is secured around the leg of a user and the medial attachment component is aligned with the medial gaiter receiving member. In some examples, the gaiter receiving members have non-release configurations.

The flexible material of the gaiter may be a stretchable waterproof and air permeable material.

The heel gaiter receiving member, the lateral gaiter receiving member, and the medial gaiter receiving member may each include a portion of flexible material connected to the upper, wherein an inside surface of the flexible material and the upper collectively form an opening.

The heel attachment member, the lateral attachment member, and the medial attachment member of the gaiter may each include a hook to releasably engage with the opening of the heel gaiter receiving member, lateral gaiter receiving member, or medial gaiter receiving member to thereby secure the gaiter to the shoe.

The shoe may be a running shoe.

In one embodiment, a shoe gaiter system may include a running shoe, including a sole, an upper connected to the sole, the upper including, a forefoot portion connected to a forefoot portion of the sole, a heel portion connected to a heel portion of the sole, a lateral side portion connected to the forefoot portion of the upper, the heel portion of the upper, and a lateral side portion of the sole, a medial side portion connected to the forefoot portion of the upper, the heel portion of the upper, and a medial side portion of the sole. The shoe may further include a foot cavity defined at least in part by an interior surface of the upper, a top gaiter receiving member including a loop and a portion of flexible material disposed through the loop having a first end and a second end connected to the forefoot portion upper to thereby attach the loop to the upper, a heel gaiter receiving member including a portion of flexible material connected to the heel portion of the upper, wherein an inside surface of the flexible material and the upper collectively form an opening, a lateral gaiter receiving member including a portion of flexible material connected to the lateral side portion of the upper, wherein an inside surface of the flexible material and the upper collectively form an opening, and a medial gaiter receiving member including a portion of flexible material connected to the medial side portion of the upper, wherein an inside surface of the flexible material and the upper collectively form an opening. The system may further include a gaiter including a tube of flexible material defining a first, top end opening and a second, bottom end opening, wherein the top end opening is sized to receive a leg of a user and wherein the bottom end opening is larger than the top end opening, an elastic material surrounding the top end opening and to secure the top end opening around the leg of the user, a flap that extends outwardly from the tube of flexible material at the bottom end opening, a front attachment component positioned on the flap to releasably engaged the top gaiter receiving member when the gaiter is secured around the leg of the user and the front attachment component is aligned with the top gaiter receiving member, a rear attachment component positioned adjacent to the bottom end opening opposite the flap to releasably engage the heel gaiter receiving member when the gaiter is secured around the leg of the user and the rear attachment component is aligned with the heel gaiter receiving member, a lateral attachment component positioned adjacent to the bottom end opening between the flap and the rear attachment component to releasably engage the lateral gaiter receiving member when the gaiter is secured around the leg of a user and the lateral attachment component is aligned with the lateral gaiter receiving member, and a medial attachment member positioned adjacent to the bottom end opening between the flap and the rear attachment member to releasably engage the medial gaiter receiving member when the gaiter is secured around the leg of a user and the medial attachment component is aligned with the medial gaiter receiving member.

In one embodiment, a shoe includes a sole, an upper connected to the sole, a foot cavity defined at least in part by an inside surface of the upper, a top gaiter receiving member positioned on the forefoot portion of the shoe, a heel gaiter receiving member positioned on the heel portion of the shoe, a lateral gaiter receiving member positioned on the lateral side portion of the shoe, and a medial gaiter receiving member positioned on the medial side portion of the shoe.

The top gaiter receiving member may include a loop and a portion of flexible material disposed through the loop having a first end and a second end connected to the upper.

The top gaiter receiving member may be centrally positioned on the forefoot portion of the shoe adjacent to a tongue of the shoe.

The heel gaiter receiving member may include a portion of flexible material connected to the sole.

The heel gaiter receiving member may be positioned on the heel portion of the shoe between the sole and a top edge of the heel portion of the shoe.

The lateral gaiter receiving member may include a portion of flexible material connected to sole.

The lateral gaiter receiving member may be positioned on the lateral side portion of the shoe substantially adjacent to the heel portion of the upper.

The medial gaiter receiving member may include a portion of flexible material connected to the sole.

The medial gaiter receiving member may be positioned on the medial side portion of the shoe substantially adjacent to the heel portion of the upper.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments of the present apparatus and are a part of the specification. The illustrated embodiments are merely examples of the present apparatus and do not limit the scope thereof.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of an example of a running shoe in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of an example of a gaiter in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of an example of a running shoe in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of an example of a gaiter in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of an example of a gaiter releasably attached to a running shoe in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded view of an example of a gaiter receiving member connected to a sole of a shoe in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of an example of a gaiter receiving member connected to a sole of a shoe in accordance with the present disclosure.

Throughout the drawings, identical reference numbers designate similar, but not necessarily identical, elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 depicts an example of a running shoe 100. In this example, the running shoe 100 includes a sole 102 and an upper 104 connected to the sole 102. The sole 102 and an interior surface of the upper 104 collectively form a foot cavity 106 that receives a foot of the user. The upper 104 includes a forefoot portion 110 connected to a forefoot portion of the sole 102, which may be an area of the sole which supports a user's toes and/or forefoot. The upper 104 includes a heel portion 112 connected to a heel portion of the sole 102. The heel portion of sole 102 may be the portion which supports a user's heel, while the heel portion 112 of the upper may envelop and retain a user's heel and/or Achilles area. The upper 102 further includes a lateral side portion 114 connected to a lateral portion of the sole 102, as well as the forefoot portion 110 and heel portion 112 of the upper. The upper 112 also includes a corresponding medial side portion (not shown) connected to a medial portion of the sole 102, as well as the forefoot portion 110 and heel portion 112 of the upper.

The upper 104 also includes a slit or an opening that enables the size of the foot cavity 106 to vary while the user inserts or removes their foot. A tongue is connected to the upper 104 near the end of the slit. The tongue fills the gap defined by the slit when the user is wearing the running shoe 100. Multiple eyelets are formed in the upper adjacent to the slit through which a lace passes in a desired lacing pattern. The lace may be loosened to enable the foot cavity to be expanded while a user inserts or removes their foot, and may be tightened when the running shoe 100 is worn by the user to secure the user's foot within the foot cavity 106 of the shoe 100.

The running shoe 100 also includes four gaiter receiving members disposed on the upper 104. A top gaiter receiving member 120 is positioned along a center line of the shoe 100 on the forefoot portion 110 of the upper 104. The top gaiter receiving member 120 includes a loop that is secured to the upper 104 by a piece of flexible material, such as fabric, that passes through the loop or a hook and has at least a first end and a second end connected to the upper 104, for example via stitching or glue. The loop can releasably engage with an attachment component of a gaiter to secure the gaiter to the shoe 100, as described herein. In some cases, the top gaiter receiving member 120 is made of a metal, a plastic, a fabric, a polymer, an elastic material, a rigid material, another appropriate type of material, or combinations thereof.

A heel gaiter receiving member 122 is positioned along a center line of the shoe 100 on the heel portion 112 of the upper 104. In this example, the heel gaiter receiving member 122 is positioned about halfway between the sole 102 and a lip of the foot cavity 106. The heel gaiter receiving member 122 may be centrally positioned on the heel portion 112 of the upper. As used herein, the terms “central” or “centrally” may, for example, refer to a position at a midpoint of a portion, a position within a fixed distance of a midpoint of a portion, such as within 1 cm, 2 cm, 3 cm, etc., or a position closer to a midpoint than an edge of a portion. The heel gaiter receiving member 122 includes a portion of flexible material, such as fabric and/or a polymer material. The flexible material is connected to the upper 104, for example via stitching or glue, and an inside surface of the flexible material and the upper 104 collectively form an opening. At least a portion of an edge of the flexible material closest to the sole 102 is not connected to the upper 104 to form the opening. The opening can releasably engage with an attachment component of a gaiter to secure the gaiter to the shoe 100, as described herein.

A lateral gaiter receiving member 124 is positioned on the lateral side portion 114 of the upper 104. The lateral gaiter receiving member 124 is positioned on a rear half of the lateral side portion of the upper 104 and is approximately in line with a user's lower leg when the shoe is worn by the user. The lateral gaiter receiving member 124 includes a portion of flexible material, such as fabric and/or a polymer material. The flexible material is connected to the upper 104, for example via stitching or glue, and an inside surface of the flexible material and the upper 104 collectively form an opening. At least a portion of an edge of the flexible material closest to the sole 102 is not connected to the upper 104 to form the opening. The opening can releasably engage with an attachment component of a gaiter to secure the gaiter to the shoe 100, as described herein.

A medial gaiter receiving member (126, FIG. 3) is positioned on the medial side portion (116, FIG. 3) of the upper 104. The medial gaiter receiving member is positioned on a rear half of the medial side portion of the upper 104 and is approximately in line with a user's lower leg when the shoe is worn by the user. The medial gaiter receiving member includes a portion of flexible material, such as fabric and/or a polymer material. The flexible material is connected to the upper 104, for example via stitching or glue, and an inside surface of the flexible material and the upper 104 collectively form an opening. At least a portion of an edge of the flexible material closest to the sole 102 is not connected to the upper 104 to form the opening. The opening can releasably engage with an attachment component of a gaiter to secure the gaiter to the shoe 100, as described herein.

The foot cavity 106 may include a sock liner that lines the bottom of the foot cavity 106. Also, the side walls of the foot cavity 106 may include other types of cushioning that reduce the jarring impacts when the user's shoe strikes the running surface and holds the upper snuggly against the user's feet throughout the running motion. In some cases, the cushioning lines the entire surface of the foot cavity's wall. In other examples, the cushioning lines just a subset of the foot cavity 106.

In this example, the running shoe's upper 104 includes a low top profile where the upper terminates underneath or at the user's ankle. The low top profile provides the running shoe with a lower weight and provides the user additional movement.

FIG. 2 depicts an example of a gaiter 200. In this example, the gaiter includes a tube of flexible material 202 having a top end opening 204 and a bottom end opening 206. The tube of flexible material 202 is a sheet of flexible material, such as fabric, that has a first edge and a second edge connected to the first edge along the lengths thereof to define the tube. In this example, the edges may be connected stitching. The fabric of the tube 202 may be waterproof, air permeable, and/or stretchable. While described herein as a tube, the gaiter 200 may have fasteners that are assembled to create the tube structure, including, but in no way limited to, snaps, zippers, hook and loop fasteners, and the like.

The top end opening 204 is sized to receive a lower leg of the user. The gaiter 200 includes an elastic material 216 surrounding the top end opening 204 to hold the gaiter 200 against the user's leg and to prevent ingress of rocks, mud, or debris into the gaiter 200 during use. The bottom end opening 206 is larger than the top end opening 204 and is sized to cover at least a portion of the upper of the shoe 100. In this example, the bottom end opening 206 is sized to cover at least a portion of the laces 108, heel portion 112, lateral side portion 114, and medial side portion 116 of the upper 104 to prevent rocks, mud, or debris from entering the foot cavity 106 of the shoe 100. A flap 208 is positioned at the bottom end opening 206 that extends outwardly therefrom. The flap 208 may be a durable, flexible material, such as a synthetic or natural fabric, or composite material.

The gaiter 200 also includes four attachment components disposed near the bottom end opening 206 and positioned to align with the four gaiter receiving members of the shoe 100. Each of the attachment components includes a hook to releasably engage with the corresponding gaiter receiving members of the shoe 100 when the attachment component is aligned with the gaiter receiving member and the bottom end opening 206 of the gaiter 200 is positioned over the upper 104 of the shoe 100. A front attachment component 220 is connected to the flap 208 of the gaiter 200 and can releasably engage with the forefoot gaiter receiving members 120 of the shoe 100. A rear attachment component 222 is connected to the tube of flexible material 202 at a position opposite the front attachment component 220 to releasably engage with the heel gaiter receiving member 122 when aligned therewith. The hook may be connected to a piece of fabric that is connected to the tube of flexible material 202 by stitching. A lateral attachment component 224 is connected to the tube of flexible material 202 at a position between the front attachment component 220 and the rear attachment component 222 to releasably engage with the lateral gaiter receiving member 124 when aligned therewith. The hook may be connected to a piece of fabric that is connected to the tube of flexible material 202 by stitching. A medial attachment component (not shown) is connected to the tube of flexible material 202 at a position between the front attachment component 220 and the rear attachment component 222, and opposite the lateral attachment component 224 to releasably engage with the medial gaiter receiving member when aligned therewith. The hook may be connected to a piece of fabric that is connected to the tube of flexible material 202 by stitching.

FIG. 3 depicts a top view of the example running shoe 100. In this example, the positions of the forefoot gaiter receiving member 120, heel gaiter receiving member 122, lateral gaiter receiving member 124, and medial gaiter receiving member 126 are shown.

FIG. 4 depicts a top view of the example gaiter 200. In this example, the positions of the front attachment component 220, rear attachment component 222, lateral attachment component 224, and medial attachment component 226 are shown. A seam 203, formed by the connection of the first and second ends that define the tube of flexible material 202 is also depicted.

FIG. 5 depicts an example of a shoe gaiter system 300 according to some embodiments, and including the example running shoe 100 and the example gaiter 200 described herein. The leg 700 of a user is illustrated, with the top end opening 204 of the gaiter 200 encompassing the leg 700. The gaiter 200 is aligned with the shoe 100 such that each of the attachment components of the gaiter 200 are releasably engaged with the gaiter receiving members of the shoe 100.

FIGS. 6 and 7 depict an example of a first gaiter receiving member 600 and a second gaiter receiving member 602 connected to a sole 604 of a shoe. In this example, the first and second gaiter receiving members 600, 602 are connected by a strap 606 that is attached to the insole 608 of the sole 604. In other examples, the strap may be connected to the insole, the midsole, the outsole, or combinations thereof. In yet other examples, the first gaiter receiving member and the second gaiter receiving member may be individually connected to a portion of the sole without being connected to a strap or otherwise connected to one each.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

In general, the system and method disclosed herein may provide users with a running shoe that includes four gaiter receiving members that allow for a user to attach a gaiter to the shoe at four points in order to adequately secure the gaiter and prevent ingress of debris into the foot cavity of the shoe. By providing four gaiter receiving members on the upper of the shoe, a gaiter may be connected to the shoe without the need for straps or other additional hardware in a secure manner. For example, conventional running shoes do not include gaiter receiving members, which necessitates straps that wrap around the sole of the shoe, or elastic to hold the gaiter in place around the upper. The straps may provide additional weight and may interfere with the traction of the shoe, while elastic may inadequately secure the gaiter, allowing it to ride up and expose the foot cavity during exercise. In some embodiments, the system and method may be a shoe gaiter system that includes a running shoe and a gaiter. The principles of the present system and method incorporate the gaiter receiving members into the upper so that no additional hardware is necessary to firmly secure the gaiter to the shoe.

In one embodiment, the shoe may include four or more gaiter receiving members which are approximately equally spaced around the upper of the shoe. Further, at least one of the gaiter receiving members may include a strip or portion of flexible material that is connected to the upper, the interior surface of the flexible material and the upper collectively defining an opening. The flexible material may be any size or shape suited to releasably engaging an attachment component of a gaiter as described herein. In some embodiments, the flexible material may be a strip of material. In some cases, a single strip of material may collectively form more than one opening with the upper, and may therefore include more than one gaiter receiving member. For example, in some embodiments, a single strip of flexible material may be connected to the upper at a lateral side portion, heel portion, and medial side portion, and may include three openings to form three gaiter receiving members. In some embodiments, this opening may be located on a side or edge of the flexible material disposed closest to the sole. In some embodiments, the flexible material may be any material conventionally used to form a running shoe upper, such as fabric. In some embodiments, the flexible material may be a natural or synthetic fabric material, a polymer material, or a composite material.

In one embodiment, at least one of the gaiter receiving members may include a loop connected to the upper. The loop may be metal, plastic, or any other material capable of securing a gaiter to the shoe via the loop. The loop may be connected to the upper by a portion of flexible material. The loop need not be a closed loop as long as it is capable of securing a gaiter to the shoe via the loop. For example, the portion of flexible material may be a strip having a first end and a second end. The first and second ends may be connected to the upper the flexible material passing through the loop to thereby connect the loop to the upper. The flexible material may be stitched or glued to the upper. Other means of connecting the loop to the other are expressly contemplated herein. In some cases, the flexible material connecting the loop to the upper may be any material conventionally used to form a running shoe upper, such as fabric. In some embodiments, the flexible material may be a natural or synthetic fabric material, a polymer material, or a composite material.

The running shoe of the present system and method may include a sole that is made up of two distinct layers, the outsole and the midsole. The outsole may contact the ground. The outsole may be made of a hard, abrasion resistant material that resists wear, provides traction, and allows flexibility.

The outsole may include a rubber compound with a high carbon content at the heel and in the toe box areas. The outsoles can be constructed with studs or ridges to provide traction on slippery surfaces, such as wet grass or slick pavement. In some examples, the outsole can include transverse grooves in the toe box area so that the running shoe is more flexible in the toe box area when the user's weight is loaded against the ball of the user's foot while the heel is raised off of the ground. Generally, the wider the outsole, the greater stability the outsole provides the foot. However, the wide outsole also increases the weight of the shoe. In some examples, the running shoe may include an outsole that is just as wide or has a width that is less than 5.0 percent greater than width of the corresponding sections of the shoe. Having a narrow outsole reduces the weight of the running shoe.

The midsole of the sole is located above the outsole. The midsole is made of a material that provides cushioning. The total height of the midsole and outsole under the heel may be about 1.0 inch and the total height of the midsole and outsole under the toe box is about 0.6 inches. The difference in sole thickness between the heel and toe box can reduce the strain on the user's Achilles tendon. This drop in the height of the sole from the heel to the toe box may affect how the user's foot strikes the ground. In some cases, the heel drop may range from 4 mm to 10 mm. The running shoe's sole may be thicker than the soles of shoes that are intended for walking or other types of activities.

The midsole may be constructed of various materials to provide cushioning. In some cases, the midsole is made of ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA) or polyurethane. EVA is a copolymer of ethylene and vinyl acetate that has microscopic air bubbles within it that makes it lightweight while providing a good amount of cushioning. Polyurethane also has a microscopic air bubble structure like EVA but is generally firmer and more resistant to compression than EVA.

Conventional uppers are made of a combination of lightweight nylon to reduce the running shoe's weight. The upper of a running shoe may also incorporates a stiff heel counter that is commonly stiffer than in other athletic shoes to help control excessive pronation or supination during running.

In some cases, the first gaiter receiving member and the second gaiter receiving member are connected to a sole of a shoe. In some of these examples, the first and second gaiter receiving members may be connected by a strap that is sewn into the insole of the sole. In other examples, the strap may be sewn or otherwise connected to the insole, the midsole, the outsole, or combinations thereof. In yet other examples, the first gaiter receiving member and the second gaiter receiving member may be individually connected to a portion of the sole without being connected to a strap or otherwise connected to one each.

Any appropriate type of gaiter receiving member may be attached to the sole of the shoe. For example, a gaiter receiving member may be attached to a lateral side of the shoe, a medial side of the shoe, a heel portion of the shoe, another portion of the shoe, or combinations thereof. One benefit to connecting the gaiter directly to gaiter receiving members connected to the sole as oppose to connecting the gaiters to gaiter receiving members connected to the upper is that the connection loads from the gaiter are not passed to the upper, but are instead passed directly to the sole.

In some cases, the gaiter receiving members are connected to the sole through the foot cavity of the shoe. Thus, at least one gaiter receiving member may not be visible to the outside of the shoe. This may provide the protect the gaiter receiving member from damage when the shoe is scrapped up against rocks, sticks, or other kinds of debris.

In those examples where a strap is connects a lateral gaiter receiving portion and a medial receiving portion, the strap may be transversely oriented with respect to the length of the shoe. In other examples, a strap connecting one of more of the gaiter receiving portions may be substantially aligned with the length of the shoe.

Any appropriate type of running shoe may be used in accordance with the principles described herein. For example, the running shoe may include a low-top profile where the upper terminates just below the user's ankle. While a low-top upper may provide less lateral stability, the running shoe is lighter. In other examples, the running shoe includes a high-top profile. In this example, the running shoe includes an upper that extends over the user's ankle.

In some embodiments, a gaiter may be provided. In one embodiment, the gaiter may be secured to the running shoe by one or more attachment components of the gaiter which may releasably engage with a corresponding amount of gaiter receiving members on the shoe. The gaiter may be a tube of flexible material having a top end opening sized to receive the leg of the user and a bottom end opening larger than the top end opening. The bottom end opening may be any appropriate size to cover at least a portion of the upper of the shoe, including an opening in the upper, to prevent or impede rocks, mud, or other debris from entering the foot cavity of the shoe. The flexible material of the gaiter may be any material conventionally used to form a gaiter, such as fabric. In some embodiments, the flexible material may be a natural or synthetic fabric material, a polymer material, or a composite material. In some embodiments, the flexible material may be a protective material, waterproof material, air permeable material, stretchable material, and/or breathable fabric.

In some cases, the waterproof fabric includes a water proof rating of 8,000 mm to 15,000 mm. A “mm” rating refers to the amount of rainfall a fabric can withstand in a single day. Thus a 10,000 mm waterproof rating means the garment can withstand 10,000 mm of rainfall in a single day without letting moisture in. The higher the number, the more waterproof the fabric is. Many commercially available waterproof materials have a waterproof rating of over 25,000 mm.

The pore size of the waterproof fabric disclosed herein is large enough to allow water vapor in the foot cavity and/or water vapor absorbed by the first layer to exit through the waterproof fabric. However, the pore size in the waterproof fabric is small enough to exclude water particles that would come from the ambient environment such as water from rain, mud puddles, or other sources. Thus, water can move from the inside of the shoe to the outside through a diffusive mechanism. The diffusive water transport mechanism allows some water to be removed from the inside of the running shoe or from the inside layers of the running shoe.

For the purposes of this disclosure, the term “air permeability” refers to the amount of air that flows through a fabric. Generally, as air flows through a fabric, cooler air from the ambient environment is exchanged with warmer air within the running shoe's foot cavity on the inside of the fabric. This air exchange lowers the temperature inside the foot cavity, but because the user's foot stays dry, the user feels like his or her feet stay warmer. Air permeability is the opposite of windproof and is not the same thing as breathability.

For the purposes of this disclosure, the term “breathable” refers to a fabric's ability to allow internal moisture to escape the fabric. This movement is determined by the difference in humidity between the foot cavity and the ambient air outside the fabric. The movement of the internal moisture is controlled, in part, by the physical resistance of the fabric layers. The humidity difference can be affected by a user's activity level, which induces sweating, and the humidity in the ambient environment. The physical resistance of the fabric generally increases with fabric thickness. Thus, thicker layers are generally have more resistance and breathe less.

For the purposes of this disclosure, the term “stretchable” refers to a fabric's ability to be deformed by a force and to return to an original shape once the force is removed. For example, a stretchable fabric may be able to be deformed up to 150% of its original dimensions by a force and may then return to its original shape and dimensions once the force is removed. In some cases, a stretchable fabric can be deformed up to 110%, 125%, 150%, or 200%, or more of its original dimensions while returning to its original shape and dimensions when the deforming force is removed.

A fabric's wind resistance is usually measured in miles per hour (mph) or cubic feet per minute (cfm). Most commercially waterproof/breathable rainwear fabric is promoted as 100 percent windproof. In the current disclosure, the waterproof fabric can be less than 100 percent windproof.

In some embodiments, the gaiter may include four or more attachment components which are positioned at or substantially adjacent to the bottom end opening and which are approximately equally spaced around the bottom end opening of the gaiter. In some embodiments, the attachment components are positioned to align with the gaiter receiving members of the shoe when the gaiter is positioned on the shoe. In some embodiments, the gaiter may include a front attachment component, a rear attachment component, a lateral attachment component, and a medial attachment component. The lateral and medial attachment components may be positioned closer to the rear attachment component than the front attachment component. Alternatively, the lateral and medial attachment components may be positioned closer to the front attachment than to the rear attachment component. As the gaiter is secured four points on the shoe by the attachment components, the flexible material of the gaiter may experience varying and independent forms of tension when in use. For example, because the lateral and medial attachment components are each independently connected to different points on the shoe, one of the attachment components may experience a tension force which the other attachment components may not experience. In this way, the four attachment components of the gaiter may prevent or inhibit the significant transfer of forces between attachment components and may allow for a more secure gaiter to shoe connection than other typical gaiters. For example, a gaiter which includes a strap connected to lateral and medial points on the gaiter and which runs under the shoe may transfer forces between the lateral and medial attachment points via the strap, which in turn may reduce the securement of the gaiter to the shoe and allow for entry of debris into the foot cavity.

Further, in some cases, the gaiter may include a flap or portion of flexible material positioned at the bottom end opening and extending therefrom. In some cases, at least one of the attachment components may be positioned on the flap. An attachment component of the gaiter may include a protrusion, hook, clasp, fastener, clip, or other component to releasably engage with the corresponding gaiter receiving member of the shoe. For example, in some cases one or more of the attachment components may include a hook connected to the gaiter by a portion of flexible material. The hook can releasably engage with a gaiter receiving member of the shoe when the gaiter is positioned over the shoe and aligned therewith. In some cases, the hook may be metal, plastic, or any other material capable of securing the gaiter to the shoe as described herein.

In some embodiments, a shoe gaiter system may include a shoe and a corresponding gaiter as described herein. In use, the gaiter may be positioned over the upper of the shoe to cover at least a portion thereon. The attachment components of the gaiter may be aligned with the corresponding gaiter receiving members of the shoe, and each of the attachment components may be releasably engaged with the corresponding gaiter receiving member to secure the gaiter to the shoe. The top end opening of the gaiter is sized to receive the leg of a user and may be held in a desired position on the leg. For example, the top end opening may be surrounded by elastic to retain the gaiter in a desired position around the leg of the user. In some embodiments, when positioned over and secure to a shoe, the gaiter may block, impede, or prevent mud, rocks, water, or other debris from entering the foot cavity of the shoe. Whereas a shoe without a gaiter may have caps between a user's leg and the lip of the foot cavity, the gaiter may serve to cover and/or seal these gaps to prevent ingress of foreign material into the foot cavity of the shoe.

While the examples above have been described with specific arrangements and certain components, the principles disclosed herein may include appropriate type of shoe component and/or gaiter component, including more or fewer components than that described above. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A shoe, comprising a sole; an upper connected to the sole; a foot cavity defined at least in part by an inside surface of the upper; a top gaiter receiving member positioned on the forefoot portion of the shoe; a heel gaiter receiving member positioned on the heel portion of the shoe; a lateral gaiter receiving member positioned on the lateral side portion of the shoe; and a medial gaiter receiving member positioned on the medial side portion of the shoe.
 2. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the top gaiter receiving member includes a loop and a portion of flexible material disposed through the loop having a first end and a second end connected to the upper.
 3. The shoe of claim 2, wherein the top gaiter receiving member is centrally positioned on the forefoot portion of the shoe adjacent to a tongue of the shoe.
 4. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the heel gaiter receiving member includes a portion of flexible material connected to the sole.
 5. The shoe of claim 4, wherein the heel gaiter receiving member is positioned on the heel portion of the shoe between the sole and a top edge of the heel portion of the shoe.
 6. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the lateral gaiter receiving member includes a portion of flexible material connected to sole.
 7. The shoe of claim 6, wherein the lateral gaiter receiving member is positioned on the lateral side portion of the shoe substantially adjacent to the heel portion of the upper.
 8. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the medial gaiter receiving member includes a portion of flexible material connected to the sole.
 9. The shoe of claim 6, wherein the medial gaiter receiving member is positioned on the medial side portion of the shoe substantially adjacent to the heel portion of the upper.
 10. A shoe gaiter system comprising: a shoe including; a sole; an upper connected to the sole, the upper including a forefoot portion connected to a forefoot portion of the sole, a heel portion connected to a heel portion of the sole a lateral side portion connected to the forefoot portion of the upper, the heel portion of the upper, and a lateral side portion of the sole, and a medial side portion connected to the forefoot portion of the upper, the heel portion of the upper, and a medial side portion of the sole; a foot cavity defined at least in part by an inside surface of the upper; a top gaiter receiving member positioned on the forefoot portion of the upper; a heel gaiter receiving member positioned on the heel portion of the upper; a lateral gaiter receiving member positioned on the lateral side portion of the upper; and a medial gaiter receiving member positioned on the medial side portion of the upper; and a gaiter, including; a tube of flexible material having a top end opening and a bottom end opening, wherein the top end opening is sized to receive a lower leg of a user and wherein the bottom end opening is larger than the top end opening and is sized to cover at least a portion of the upper of the shoe; four attachment components positioned at the bottom end opening, each of the four attachment components including a hook to releasably engage with one of the top gaiter receiving member, heel gaiter receiving member, lateral gaiter receiving member, and medial gaiter receiving member of the shoe when the gaiter is secured around a leg of a user and the attachment components are aligned with the receiving members of the shoe.
 11. The shoe gaiter system of claim 10, wherein the tube of flexible material comprising the gaiter is a sheet of flexible material having a first edge and a second edge connected to the first edge along the length thereof to define the tube.
 12. The shoe gaiter system of claim 10, wherein at least one of the four attachment components of the gaiter are connected to another of the attachment components except via the flexible material of the gaiter and the shoe.
 13. The shoe gaiter system of claim 10, wherein the flexible material is a waterproof fabric.
 14. The shoe gaiter system of claim 10, wherein the flexible material is air permeable.
 15. A shoe gaiter system, comprising: a shoe, including: a sole; an upper connected to the sole, including; a forefoot portion connected to a forefoot portion of the sole; a heel portion connected to a heel portion of the sole; a lateral side portion connected to the forefoot portion of the upper, the heel portion of the upper, and a lateral side portion of the sole; and a medial side portion connected to the forefoot portion of the upper, the heel portion of the upper, and a medial side portion of the sole; a foot cavity defined at least in part by an interior surface of the upper; a top gaiter receiving member connected to the forefoot portion of the upper; a heel gaiter receiving member connected to the heel portion of the upper; a lateral gaiter receiving member connected to the lateral side portion of the upper; a medial gaiter receiving member connected to the medial side portion of the upper; and a gaiter, including: a portion of flexible material defining a first, top end opening and a second, bottom end opening, wherein the bottom end opening has a diameter larger than a diameter of the top end opening; an elastic material surrounding the top end opening and to secure the top end opening around a leg of a user; a flap that extends outwardly from the flexible material at the bottom end opening; a front attachment component positioned on the flap to releasably engaged the top gaiter receiving member when the gaiter is secured around the leg of the user and the front attachment component is aligned with the top gaiter receiving member; a rear attachment component positioned adjacent to the bottom end opening opposite the flap to releasably engage the heel gaiter receiving member when the gaiter is secured around the leg of the user and the rear attachment component is aligned with the heel gaiter receiving member; a lateral attachment component positioned adjacent to the bottom end opening between the flap and the rear attachment component to releasably engage the lateral gaiter receiving member when the gaiter is secured around the leg of a user and the lateral attachment component is aligned with the lateral gaiter receiving member; and a medial attachment member positioned adjacent to the bottom end opening between the flap and the rear attachment member to releasably engage the medial gaiter receiving member when the gaiter is secured around the leg of a user and the medial attachment component is aligned with the medial gaiter receiving member.
 16. The shoe gaiter system of claim 15, wherein the flexible material of the gaiter is a stretchable waterproof and air permeable material.
 17. The shoe gaiter system of claim 15, wherein the heel gaiter receiving member, the lateral gaiter receiving member, and the medial gaiter receiving member each include a portion of flexible material connected to the upper, wherein an inside surface of the flexible material and the upper collectively form an opening.
 18. The shoe gaiter system of claim 17, wherein the heel attachment member, the lateral attachment member, and the medial attachment member of the gaiter each include a hook to releasably engage with the opening of the heel gaiter receiving member, lateral gaiter receiving member, or medial gaiter receiving member to thereby secure the gaiter to the shoe.
 19. The shoe gaiter system of claim 14, wherein the shoe is a running shoe.
 20. A shoe gaiter system, comprising a running shoe, including: a sole; an upper connected to the sole, the upper including; a forefoot portion connected to a forefoot portion of the sole; a heel portion connected to a heel portion of the sole; a lateral side portion connected to the forefoot portion of the upper, the heel portion of the upper, and a lateral side portion of the sole; and a medial side portion connected to the forefoot portion of the upper, the heel portion of the upper, and a medial side portion of the sole; a foot cavity defined at least in part by an interior surface of the upper; a top gaiter receiving member including a loop and a portion of flexible material disposed through the loop having a first end and a second end connected to the forefoot portion upper to thereby attach the loop to the upper; a heel gaiter receiving member including a portion of flexible material connected to the heel portion of the upper, wherein an inside surface of the flexible material and the upper collectively form an opening; a lateral gaiter receiving member including a portion of flexible material connected to the lateral side portion of the upper, wherein an inside surface of the flexible material and the upper collectively form an opening; and a medial gaiter receiving member including a portion of flexible material connected to the medial side portion of the upper, wherein an inside surface of the flexible material and the upper collectively form an opening; a gaiter, including: a tube of flexible material defining a first, top end opening and a second, bottom end opening, wherein the top end opening is sized to receive a leg of a user and wherein the bottom end opening is larger than the top end opening; an elastic material surrounding the top end opening and to secure the top end opening around the leg of the user; a flap that extends outwardly from the tube of flexible material at the bottom end opening; a front attachment component positioned on the flap to releasably engaged the top gaiter receiving member when the gaiter is secured around the leg of the user and the front attachment component is aligned with the top gaiter receiving member; a rear attachment component positioned adjacent to the bottom end opening opposite the flap to releasably engage the heel gaiter receiving member when the gaiter is secured around the leg of the user and the rear attachment component is aligned with the heel gaiter receiving member; a lateral attachment component positioned adjacent to the bottom end opening between the flap and the rear attachment component to releasably engage the lateral gaiter receiving member when the gaiter is secured around the leg of a user and the lateral attachment component is aligned with the lateral gaiter receiving member; and a medial attachment member positioned adjacent to the bottom end opening between the flap and the rear attachment member to releasably engage the medial gaiter receiving member when the gaiter is secured around the leg of a user and the medial attachment component is aligned with the medial gaiter receiving member. 